Trompe l'oeil wallpaper

Annie Schlechter

An Instant Collection Instead of trawling flea markets for vintage art, consider hanging this masterful, trompe l'oeil silk-screened wallpaper "curated" by London designer Deborah Bowness. ($295 per 2-by-11-foot panel, four shown; deb@deborahbowness.com).
Umbrella stands

Annie Schlechter

Stands that Deliver Don't let April showers bring messy puddles into your foyer. These rainy-day catch-alls offer seven ways to marshal wet umbrellas with style.

LEFT TO RIGHT:
  1. Roost's simple, burl-wood bin will thrive in rustic and modern interiors alike. ($130 at Marders, 631-537-3700)
  2. This ceramic owl offers a subtle reminder about the wisdom in checking the forecast. ($120, Two's Company; 800-896-7266 for stores)
  3. Graphic and glossy, this arresting model was designed by Gino Colombini for Kartell in 1965. ($155; kartell.it for stores)
  4. Harold Klein turns expectation on its head with a witty Plexiglas umbrella. ($475 at LCR, 203-221-8131)
  5. The four slots in this sleek plastic container by Rodolfo Bonetto can accommodate both full- and pint-size umbrellas. ($150, B-Line at nova68.com)
  6. H-concept's space-saving rubber option comes in 11 colors and does triple duty—as an umbrella stand, doorstop, and vase. ($86 at japanesemoderndesign.com)
  7. When storm clouds threaten, this plated-brass stunner offers the proverbial silver lining. ($150; 800-318-3435, william-wayne.com)

Also shown:
Solid White Automatic umbrellas, #WA10, $15 each; Clear Bubble umbrella with black trim, #RB01, $18 each. All Frankford Umbrellas, umbrellasusa.com
Bookcase with milk-glass vases

Annie Schlechter

Top-Shelf Design Nothing else stacks up to Matt Carr's elegant $525 bookcase, which resembles a pair of bisected antique coffee tables. (U+ Collection from Umbra, 800-387-5122; umbra.com)

While the majority of these vases are vintage, Rosanna's porcelain Victoriana versions (including the footed compote, holding flowers on the second shelf) achieve the same milk-glass effect. ($19 to $27, rosannainc.com)